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Niger crisis needs diplomatic solution devoid of foreign involvement – AFRO-GLOBAL
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The Africa Center of Global Engagement and Diplomacy (AFRO-GLOBAL), a policy think-tank, has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to use diplomatic dialogue to find solution and restore democracy in Niger.
In a statement issued last Friday and signed by the Director/Lead Researcher of AFRO-GLOBAL, Professor Lord Mawuko-Yavugah, the centre reminded leaders of the bloc to be mindful of the “too many unanswered issues” that might undermine a credible ECOWAS-led intervention.
AFRO-GLOBAL said while the military takeover was unfortunate, it believed that the situation needed a diplomatic solution and not a military solution.
“Our call is based on the understanding that the military solution has never had a predictable outcome,” it added.
It added that there were reports that suggested that France and the US had over 1,500 and 1,100 troops respectively in Niger. AFRO-GLOBAL therefore, questioned what would be the role of those foreign troops in the event of an ECOWAS led intervention in Niger.
“How would their role undermine the image and independence of ECOWAS?” it asked.
The centre also made reference to reports of the coup makers seeking the assistance of the Russian mercenary group Wegner, asking if ECOWAS would be prepared for a war that might become a proxy of superpowers.
“In view of the general poor economic situation in the sub-region, who would pay for the cost of the intervention? Would it be the struggling economies of the region or a foreign power?” The statement quizzed.
AFRO-GLOBAL therefore appeal to regional leaders to be cautious of the involvement of foreign powers in the ongoing process.
“It appears to any observer that France seems more interested in the return to power of the ousted leader than the people of Niger.
Comments by French officials on the ECOWAS position and the planned military intervention only go to deepen suspicion about the neutrality of ECOWAS,” it said.
Accusing France of being a party to the current crisis, the centre urged France to restrain itself from any issues relating to efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the crisis.
“We therefore urge the French government and other powers to refrain from comments that may undermine the efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
We appeal to ECOWAS leaders to reconsider the military option and allow dialogue and diplomacy to work,” they indicated.
Given that Algeria had so far played a constructively positive role by not appearing confrontational as ECOWAS, the centre urged leaders of the bloc to consider engaging Algeria to play a mediating role in the crisis.
It further urged ECOWAS to engage Russia, China and any other power that might likely come to the aid of the coup makers to prevent them from intervening on the side of the coup makers.
“This will enable the sanctions to be effective. The group must isolate foreign powers (particularly France) from any solution it adopts to resolve the crisis.The sanctions imposed by ECOWAS should be used to negotiate a timetable for a return to civilian rule where every achieved target results in the lifting of specific sanctions,” the statement concluded.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
